Belgrave teams move up with excellent victories

SIX wins from six teams for Belgrave Cricket Club in the FTGDCA this week, even if the 6ths did sneak by with a walkover.
All sides did well to consolidate positions in or near the top four in their grades. The seconds, thirds and fourths are playing like finals contenders and are all in second place.
The firsts accounted for St Johns Tecoma, thanks mainly to Ayre and Dalkin getting 50s on day one and Nick Bole-Brown taking his third five-wicket haul for the year (5/48).
The captain took the chance of an early declaration on day one in the second XI encounter with St Johns Tecoma after putting 9/243 on the board. Ian Litterbach and Tom McNamara were the main scorers with 56 apiece, including a 55-run seventh wicket partnership. On day two the opposition slumped to 9/152. A defiant last wicket stand returned 56 before victory was secured just after the tea break.
The seconds face lowly Lysterfield ahead of the break.
Fourth-placed Johnson Park visited the Menzies Creek ground to face the third XI and put 235 on the board on day one. Steady batting overhauled the total with about five overs to go. Craig Johnson scored an unbeaten 134 including a fifth wicket partnership of 108 with Ben Weekes (47). The thirds will finish the calendar year against The Basin.
The fourths played fourth placed South Belgrave and, scored 255 for the loss of only 5 wickets. Tony Wittman topped the scoring with 128 not out, while his opening stand with Ian Levell (48) realised 119.
In reply wickets tumbled quickly. Jason Weare got 3/14 to seal a fine victory as South Belgrave were dismissed for 100.